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Authors note: I'm sorry this chapter is so long. I was expecting it to be nineteen pages, but Sabrina kept all the details going, and it was difficult to stop writing this chapter. I hope everyone has figured out that I put all my other stories aside because this one demands my attention before the others. But, I hope that this will be the last chapter with so many pages. I use to put in nineteen to thirty pages per chapter, but I figured out no one likes to read so much in one chapter, which was why I've shorten each chapter, so if it seems I'm rushing then that's why. I just want to get to the point as fast as possible without giving too much or too little. Alright, that's it for now.
Tomgirl.
4. Taking this one to the grave
G10 -0745-SBI0004
H: Did you have anything else to tell?
S: No, sorry.
H: What would you like to talk about?
S: I’m not sure.
H: Would you like to discuss Caleb?
S: No!
H: Are you alright?
S: Yes, I’m fine. I just don’t wan tot talk about Caleb, not now.
H: What about Warrick?
S: I’m getting tired.
H: But, we just started.
S: And now I would like to end this.
H: Maybe if we discussed either Caleb or Warrick, you’ll remember something.
S: I highly doubt that.
H: Why?
S: Caleb was mainly about her, and Warrick was more my mother. Neither had affected on me.
H: You called Warrick by his first name.
S: So? He has no place in my world.
H: You have strong feelings against him?
S: He abandoned me.
H: Would you like to talk about it?
S: There’s nothing left to say.
H: Are you sure?
S: Positive.
H: Alright, I’ll leave you know if that’s what you wish.
S: Yes, thank you.
H: I’ll be seeing you soon.
End Tape SBI004
The final exams were today. Everyone was tapping away at their screens, the keyboard that appears just above the desk. Only we can see our own screens and our own keyboard, so that when we look at the person beside us we can’t see what their typing, they look like they are just typing in air. This prevented cheating, because if we don’t pass the test then I’m afraid to know what will happen. We were all typing like the wind, everyone except for Miron Raven, who is just as bad as Destiny, maybe a little worse, because Destiny was doing much better then I thought.
Cams were flying around making sure no one was falling asleep or using any device to cheat, because these days it was possible to just cheat at anything. I swallowed hard as the answers just came to me for every question. I guess it helps to have a very smart mind. I couldn’t help but look up at Caleb, who was leaning against the desk – did he ever sit? – and was watching everyone. But I notice that his eyes were mostly on me. I pressed my lips together not wanting to relive what had happened last month.
June came and went, and slowly faded into July. The air smelled of the ongoing summer, and this was one of the hottest months of the year. We were in a large white room, were no noise was made anywhere. I pressed my lips together as the last few questions appeared. I don’t know why I wanted to kiss Caleb; he was an ass and a moron. No electron in their right programming would want to be in the same room as him. Yet, there was something about him. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there was just something… special about him.
I shook my head. The only thing special about him was that he was stupid enough to get himself stuck in this godforsaken place. But he had to be in the system.
Of course, everyone is in the system. No child is ever born into this world without The Law or The University knowing about them. Maybe I was just going crazy. What do I care about what Caleb did before G10? Okay, maybe I cared just a tiny bit. But if you had any idea how much it bugged me that Caleb just appeared in my life, without knowing a thing about him, besides the fact that he was new to all of this.
Half the girls’ in the room were already gone by the time I finished. I passed Miron and gave her an encouraging smile as I left. I took out my communicator and began to tap on the screen to find Caleb. I wasn’t crazy or obsessed, just curious. I waited a few minutes for something to come up. But to my great dismay on the screen soon appeared: CLASSIFIED. Well, that was no help, but that’s when I realized, all G10 agents and Instructors all were basically ‘out of the system,’ as they call it. According to the public we don’t exist.
I almost threw my communicator across the room, but I knew it wasn’t worth it. Instead I just stomped down the clear white hallways, my footsteps echoing. How was I supposed to know about Caleb, if I couldn’t even find anything out about him… except in the Commanders system? I wicked smile spread across my face as I thought about it. What better way to learn about Caleb then the Commander himself. He had to keep record of his own workers somewhere. And if The University had record of Caleb they would have gotten it from school records or from G10. So, I just had to do one thing: Break into the Commanders office.
“But Des,” I whined lying on my bed, “I really need you.” I looked at her with sad eyes, begging. I really did need her help, who was going to distract his secretary while I break in?
“And go to jail?” She questioned.
I rolled my eyes, with a grunt, “We are already in jail.” I shot back, and she snorted at me.
“Look Sabrina, as long as you have been my friend, this has been jail for you, but almost heaven for me.” She smiled proudly. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, my own best friend actually enjoyed being in this isolated place, a said excuse for a spy-training camp.
I buried my face in my pillow wanting to scream at the top of my lungs. In the last two months we really didn’t do much, except review what we had learned in the months before, that were what the final exams were for, but it was also to test our minds again. But, the exam was the least of my worries, I know I passed, but I needed to think about Caleb now. I wondered if he’s looked me up.
“Why is this so important to you?” Destiny asked putting her communicator away, and looking at me with her head tilted to the side.
I sighed trying to come up with a good excuse. That was another reason why I didn’t belong in G10, I was just couldn’t lie well. “I… I just want to see what he has written on me.” I tried to lie, but I don’t even think a monkey would believe me. Destiny raised her eyebrows at my confession, and I shrugged my shoulders.
“But you’re a shoe in to pass,” She protested back, and I buried my face back into my pillow. “Are you going to tell me the real reason why you want to break into the Commander’s office?”
Oh, she’s good. Well, I could confess the truth, and tell her what I thought about Caleb, but something chocked up in the back of my throat preventing me from doing what I intended. It’s true what they say about you can pick your friends, but it’s also true when they say that one day your best friend can turn into your worst enemy. I’m not concerned about Destiny telling on me for breaking in, what I’m mostly concerned about is that unspoken rule about the best kept secret is the one that stays unsaid. Then, there is also the trust dilemma. I know Destiny would do anything for me, and I would too, but was there a limit to friendship? Was there a certain line of friendship that if you crossed that line there was just no going back? Were there certain things your friends were allowed to know and everything else had to stay silent?
I sighed looking into her eyes. The sun was coming down, and her eyes were like a cat, prowling around to make sure things were the way they should be. I had my lips pressed together in a thin line, before I said, “That is the real reason.”
I shook my head, trying to get my attention back to work. The operation was simple, I had to find a target that had a moving yellow light, and shot at it. Every Group was combined into three different larger Groups, and each given a different color light. Group One – the one my Group is in – had blue light that was on the thigh of our uniform. Group Two had a yellow one, and Group Three had red.
I, for one, find this operation a complete boring one, and a waste of time. They dumped us off into the woods, and it was so dark, you couldn’t even see your hand when you put it in front of your face, and you were suppose to look for some light? And it made no sense, because when you hit a person you were suppose to hide, and at the end of the round, when we all get ready to head back to base, the Group with the most hits looses, and the Group with the least wins. But we were right by Lake Longwood, anyone could just go, and wash off most of the paint. According to our Instructor – Instructor Eileen – the Old People use to do this, but I found this a complete waste of time. I should be learning how to drive, I’ll be getting my license when I’m fourteen, I should be learning what to do when you get kidnapped; this is so senseless.
But, it could also be in my favor.
We weren’t allowed to leave, until the first sign of light, so who would notice if I left for a couple of ours, and then came back without being seen? Besides, I knew my way back. I think that was the whole purpose of this exercise. To basically grow your instincts stronger, so that if you were ever trapped in a real situation like this, then you can easily find ways to hide, and attack the enemy, and also most likely find your way home. I don’t think it was what we were doing, but what we were supposed to do in order to do the operation – or maybe they just like to waste my time.
I already knew Destiny was out of the game. She wouldn’t come with me to the Commanders office no matter what. So, I couldn’t go straight in, I would have to find an alternation.
Snaking my way to a pile of bushes surrounded by a tree, I dropped the lazar gun, and began to strip of the uniform. I had my real clothes underneath, which I was grateful for. I was also grateful that I could get out of these clothes, it was fucking out tonight, and I was sweating a puddle in the back of my legs, around my collar, and underneath my arms. I was grateful my clothes were giving off a fresh scent because I would probably stink so badly I would end up passing out from smelling myself. I didn’t bring decent shoes; all I had was thick boots, so I had to keep them. I put the clothes in a bush, and reminded myself to later pick them up.
I then I ran as fast as lightening.
Reaching the Instructors cabin, I sneaked towards the back, and I had some difficulty. One was that there were puddles from the rain that had fallen a few hours earlier, and another was the muddy ground that I literally slipped I believe I got my entire back dirty. As a laid there, I felt the water in the dirt moist my back, and it felt icky. I hurried to stand up; knowing that half of me was completely dirty, along with my hair. This, I shall never forget. Then there were branches sticking out of the ground, and out of nearby trees that blocked my way. I had to watch my step, especially at night, and I had to jump over some. My last problem was that I could stray too close to the cabin. Wood or not those walls would still alert everyone inside that I was out here, which made me wonder how I was suppose to sneak in, if the walls would alert them of a break in. I’ll worry about that one later.
An eternity later, when I finally came out of that small jungle, I was in the back. I was dirty, scrapped, my clothes were ripped, I had mud all over me, I think I had a bug or two crawling somewhere around me, and I was already tired. I needed to do this quickly. I reached the window I had seen earlier when I was first here and then later on when I was brought back. The window was both bullet proof and unbreakable. With a wicked smile, I traced the metal on the outside of out.
Solid.
Completely solid. I reached into my pocket, and took out the book page I took out of the camp library. Basically I had a feeling I had to go through this, and so I had to do this the Old Way. I read the instructions on how to break in; I can’t believe the Old People use to do this kind of stuff. With great determination to get in, I dug into my jean pocket and with held a knife I had taken from the kitchen. They had a lot, who would notice one knife missing? I began to jimmy my way in, I didn’t want to use some other technology that will give me away.
Clack.
Yes. Putting the knife down, I reached up, and with the small opening I had my thin long fingers underneath, and I lifted it up, and threw myself inside. Someday I will have to stop throwing myself into places. I stood up, a little to fast, and I felt dizzy right away. I landed on my head, which is why I didn’t really get hurt, but now I had a headache the size of Ashwood. Shaking my head, I looked down at what I needed to do.
I went to the desk, and tapped on the middle section, and at once the holographic computer appeared. The screen showed the daily news. I smiled at my achievements. Who would have thought this would be easy? I began to see if I could get myself to look at his records, but I had no idea how to begin. Maybe he kept his records in a chip…
The next second I was on my hands and knees looking for a chip. I threw papers from drawers, searched all his books, and then threw them on the floor when my search didn’t prove successful. But I couldn’t even find a movie chip or a music chip. I raced my way back to the desk, and began searching drawers, but by the time I was finished it looked like a war had gone in here, and I had no chip. I put my hands on my hips walking around the messy room. I was thinking too much like a teenager, what I needed to do was think like – dare I say it? – a spy.
Why does it always have to go back to being a spy? Can’t I search for something as a normal child?
I snorted, “No,” Great, now I’m answering myself. Everyone knows what that means, I may be going crazy, well, at least I had G10 to blame.
I shook my head; no time to worry about my sanity now, I had to find his records. Ok, so there was more then a perfect chance he kept all his data in a special chip, and information like that is very valuable because it most likely has the coordinates of the island, every single spy to ever exist in G10’s background and personal info, and this chip is something that may or may not be through the Spy-Network.
The Spy-Network? Why hadn’t I thought of that before? Everything that goes into that chip and wherever that chip is installed, is quickly sent to other spy operations, like Wolf-Pryce or even Undercover Operations. But… these people are super smart, and so they would keep something like that under a lot of protection. As far as the public is concerned the Spy Network doesn’t exist; just the operations.
I knew one thing was for sure; if Michael kept record of all his spies and maybe even spies from his father and his father’s father then there was a likely chance that he kept it close because terrorist could take it. All I was completely sure of was that either this chip or maybe even this book – he could keep it in a book – was mega important, and if it was important, then he had to keep it close, as in he wouldn’t leave it lying around, or leave it in a camp where he knows there is a certain noisy spy.
I began to hit my head trying to recall where exactly Michael was today. He had houses all over the world, and did business everywhere he had to be somewhere. I got on his holographic computer again, and headed straight for the news. The media always knew where Michael was…
Bingo. He was in England, giving a press-conference. I memorized the address, and headed out, until I looked back at the room. It was a complete mess. I couldn’t leave if everyone knew that there was someone had broken in.
“Autoclean,” I whispered, and at once an electron came out of the corner, and began to clean up papers and books. With a satisfied smile, I crawled back out of the room, and threw myself onto the ground. Once again, I experienced blood rushing into my head, because I landed on it. By the time I’m thirteen I’m going to need surgery for brain damage, and that was saying a lot.
Dizzy, I began to walk around camp like a drunk. I was seeing double, and I was sick to my stomach. At least know I had a pretty good idea where this file or ship or book or whatever could be. Wherever Michael goes it goes. So now, it was just the problem of getting off the island, which means stealing a hovercar because a hoverboard won’t get me far, and I had to do it all in the matter of a couple of hours. Somehow I found my way to the front of the Instructors cabin, and I could go inside and ask them where exactly Michael was staying. I walked in, and I prayed I wouldn’t throw up, as I walked forward towards one of the women. I stumbled actually, but the point is I got to her desk.
“Excuse me,” I said with my most mannered voice. She looked at me, and for a moment was taken aback. I had forgotten I was wet and soaked from the back to the front. I swallowed hard, and smiled pleasantly at her. “But I was wondering if you could possibly tell me which hotel the Commander is staying in at England?” I tilted my head to the side.
She looked at me shocked for a moment, and blinked a few hundred times most likely questioning my sanity. “Uh… he’s staying at the… Ticonderoga Hotel – are you alright?” she finally got the courage to ask me looking at me closer.
“I just got down with a practice assignment.” I lied. Well, it was really a lie pre-say but it wasn’t the truth either. I was on an assignment, but I hadn’t finished it and it wasn’t a practice one.
“Why do you need to know where the Commander is?” She asked me getting her self together.
I blinked a few times, “He asked me to send him something, and I need to personally deliver it to him.” The lies seem to be coming easier and easier. These days, in Caleb’s class, we were supposed to write essay’s on different lies to tell, and the art of it. I don’t understand what my world is coming to anymore.
“Okay, would you like me to call for a private hovercar to come and get you?”
“No!” I said before she had the time to call anyone. I had a feeling that when she made the call, the driver would call the Commander to confirm the story, and if Michael knew what I was up to, then my Instructor would know I ditched, and if that happen I would never get my hands on Caleb’s file. “I mean, I can drive myself,” I lied again.
“Can you fly it?” She asked unsure.
I nodded faking confidence, “Yes, totally, I’ll just need the access code, so can get on, get in, and get off.” She had no idea what I was saying. I don’t even know why I said the things I did. She looked at me with narrowed eyebrows, and I sighed heavily, “You know, get to the hotel, get the Commander what he needs, and go home.” I said a little louder, and obviously showing my annoyed side.
“Oh,” That was all this poor sad woman could say.
“Access code?” I raised my eyebrows waiting.
“Oh, right. It’s 66225.” I nodded my head mentally storing those numbers. “Will you be able to find your way there?” But when she looked up I was already racing out the door and I was swallowed up by the night.
Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t stand out here and enjoy the night. I had a mission on my mind, and I was going to finish it even if it killed me. I was already racing on the path that I had never taken before, trying to keep my timing right. If I get to England and the Ticonderoga Hotel within the hour, I could easily get back, get my stuff, and no one would notice a thing. So simple, a three year old could do it.
The only reason I knew where they kept the hovercars was because during the tour, which was given in the shuttle, they had pointed it out. I never took this route, because we were flying above it. All I knew about it was that it was a large building, with a sphere shape on top, and the body of the building was rectangular shape. I believe it said something about having three levels; each level caring a different model. I know we’ve had more then three models, but I think they meant recently.
Man that building is far.
I was already sweating, and even though I could keep running, I really didn’t want to. Running was one of the few things I hated most in this world – I think I already pointed out that fact.
With great relief I spotted the building. I stopped to catch my breath. I needed to exercises more or something because this is ridicules. I spent ten months in this godforsaken place and I am so out of shape, how embarrassing. Well, I did sort of slack off in some of the area of exercises.
Whatever, I have to finish this now or never. Might as well make this now. Wait, is Caleb even worth all of this trouble. I mean, the Commander was a heavily guarded man, I could risk the Warrants coming after me, and The Law does not take breaking and entering very highly. And then I had both the walls in this building and the walls at the hotel telling at me. Could I really risk something like that?
Mm… sure I can.
With a shrug, I began to walk up to the building. There were large windows that I could see from out here, but the inside was completely dark. I wonder what sort of being lurking in there is prepared to attack the first person that comes in. I could already imagine the place full of a pool of blood, ravishing itself on human flesh… okay, I’m getting carried away. But it’s always nice to have a good imagination, that’s what I always say.
One thing no one ever told us was that there were guards in front of the hovercar storage. I stopped in front of a big guy who was extremely muscular, was wearing black from top to bottom, with a lazar gun in his hand. His face was dark, fogged, and stiffed. He was standing up so straight and so still that he looked like a statue. He looked familiar. Well, any sane person would know they needed to turn away, because it was obvious that only Authorized Personal were allowed, also known as the Instructors. But, my curiosity of the familiarity of this man drew me towards him.
“Hiya,” I said causally as if it were something I said everyday to this strange familiar man. He looked down at me, with narrowed eyebrows questioning my sanity. “Don’t I know you?” I was acting like a child, and we both knew it, but I couldn’t help but ask.
“No,” He said, and his voice hit me with such familiarity, that I put on a silly grin.
“Yeah, I do. Weren’t you the one who delivered the letter to me last year?” As I said the words I felt myself grimace at the truth. I remember that day like it was yesterday, that was what was so bad about it. It felt so real that half the time I couldn’t believe it actually happened. I still remember what that letter said, and I wish I didn’t.
He took a moment as if trying to remember last year. I had a silly grin on my face though I didn’t have a silly grin when I met him. “Perhaps.” He finally said looking back up, “I delivered letters all over the country that day.”
“Yeah, you came to my house. You had a black rain coat on because it was thundering outside, and you just handed me the letter. You were even the one who drove me to that field the day I left.” I shook my head surprised. “What are you doing here?” I asked tilting my head to the side seeing this blast from the past.
“I guard this when they don’t want me to go and do their dirty work.” His tone was so cold it burned.
“So you’re here against your will as well?” I asked crossing my arms over my chest.
“I’ve been working for G10 for a while,” He replied. But I could see there was something in his words that didn’t add up. “What are you doing all the way out here?” He finally asked. I smiled.
“Well, the Commander asked me to go to England to send him something, and I need a hovercar.” I said as casually as possible. I hope he would let me in. Making small conversation wasn’t a way in tricking this guy; it was just that it was nice to see a familiar face.
“Give it to me; I’ll bring it to him.” My heart dropped.
“No, no, no,” I said feeling my face pale, “He asked me personally to send this to him. So, he would expect to see me. He doesn’t trust anyone else with this package.”
“Where is it?”
I hesitated. Why did this guy have to ask so many questions? Couldn’t he just let me in? “It’s… it’s… an important chip.” I lied. “It has very important data in it, and he wants me personally to send it to him.”
He gave a heavy sigh, “You can’t go in there,” I frowned at him. What the hell was his problem? He knows me, we’re practically buddies, he should let me in!
“Why?” I demanded and it sounded so childish.
“Spies in training can’t go in.” I crossed my arms over my chest looking at him, but at the same time having my eyes wondering around. If he wouldn’t let me in, then I had to go in myself.
With a satisfied grin, I looked back at him, “Good doing business with you poncho.” I said and not waiting for him to answer I turned around and ran back into the woods. But this time instead of taking the path, I went straight into the woods, and I was walking bent over so that trees and bushes could hide me, and so he couldn’t see me, I began to walk around as fast as possible. I was going to make my way around. Once again, I tripped. I think I was born a klutz, which is impossible because I’ve always lived a balanced life, until G10 came into the picture.
My foot dug into a ditch, and as I tried to pull it out, and as I did I fell back landing hard on the cold solid ground. I stood up feeling dizzy again. I don’t think I’ll make to England and back in one piece. As I stood up again and headed back out I tried to remember why it was that Caleb seemed so important to me. I mean, did it really matter that I was breaking about ten million rules just to figure one guy out? This better be worth it; Caleb better have some sort of hidden agenda worth talking about.
With a great sigh, I saw the back of the storage building, and quickly made my way towards it. I looked both ways making sure no one was a) following me, and b) spying on me. I just needed to find a way in. With great relief, I saw windows in the back just like windows in the front. But the problem was I was 5’ 1’ and the window was far beyond my reach. I tried to jump a couple of times but I kept missing it. I jumped, swinging my hand to catch the window sill, but I kept missing it at the last moment. Why did nothing come easy for me?
I looked around to try and find another way, there has got to be another way. I kicked the building angry not being able to see anything, of course, that was a terrible move. The walls were made of steel, and at once I grabbed in pain jumping up and down like a nitty. This is so not goddamn worth it! My toes were burning with a painful sensation because I was too damn stupid. I leaned against it as the pain began to fade I knew I wouldn’t make it very far. I should have brought Destiny with me. She, at least, would either give me encouragement or at least distract that stupid guard while I broke in.
Stupidly, again, I banged my head against the steel wall, and I didn’t care about the pain, I was miserable enough thank you very much. I let myself just sit there, feeling the cool air of the July night brush me, and hear the winds whisper wrap around me like a blanket.
My clothes were still dirty, but at least they were now dry. I breathed in deeply with a smile on my face. I love the night time.
I opened my eyes, and after a moment of nothing but focus up there, a small smile spread across my lips.
Now, technology speaking, if this were happen to be a real real mission I would have really cool gadgets that could easily break the window, or get me in the storage building without any complaints. But, this wasn’t a real real mission, this was my own personal hidden mission, and because I couldn’t let anyone know I was here, I basically had to do things the Old Way. So, when I’m seen – or not seen – climbing a tree, you know that I’m on my own personal mission. And when you see me – or don’t – climbing a really, really, really big tree you know I’ve completely lost my mind.
Just like right now.
I buried my nails into the tree bark as I kept climbing up higher, and higher. The higher I went, the colder the air got. If I end up getting shipped off to a grave site, dead, I blame Caleb for coming into my life, for making me completely paranoid, and for being a total ass.
I reached over for the large tree branch that I had spotted when I was sitting on the ground, that lead directly towards the top of the storage building roof. As I hung there the muscles of my arms, under arms, and my chest stretch out. It actually felt awful, like when soft tender meat is being ripped apart, and you feel every cell in your body coming undone. I felt my spine stretch in pain, and small tear droplets coming out of the corners of my eyes.
Hanging from trees has to be illegal.
I mean, come on people, who in their right mind would want to hang from a tree? But then again, I really wasn’t in my right mind. Taking in a deep breath, I began to swing my legs back and forth until my entire my body was moving along with the rhythm back and forth, with my arms still holding onto the tree for dear life. With a great force, I swung myself up so high, that as I went forth, I opened my legs, and wrapped it around the tree branch. Now, I was holding on to branch with my arms, and my legs. I looked down, seeing the ground further away then it had been originally.
I felt dizzy. Looking at the ground from this height, I thought I was about to barf. It was so far down and I was so high up… and if I fell… it would be a long way down… I forced myself to look away and back up at the night sky. All my blood was already rushing to my head, and I needed to get myself to the roof. I began to crawl my way down the branch end towards the roof, slowly that is.
Once a few inches I away, I counted to ten, and unwrapping one of my legs around the branch, I tried to stretch it over towards the roof. At first all it did was touch the edge, and so I had to get myself down lower, and I felt the branch bend lower from my weight. I held on tighter to the branch, and froze with fear. I didn’t like that; I didn’t like it at all. My heart was pounding loudly in my chest, and I felt like it was about to burst right out of my rip cage in fear. It was like a loud drumbeat in my ears, and I thought I was almost going to go deaf.
I tried to regain my courage, as I continued to do what I was doing earlier. Stretching my leg out again, I felt it touch the ledge, but not before slipping right off. And as my leg slipped off the edge, my other leg – that I had safely wrapped around the branch – also slipped and I almost screamed out loud as I felt my self about to fall. My heart was ragging, and I felt something in the pit of my stomach lose control.
I hung to the tree-branch for dear life, feeling my entire body shake; my god that was such a stopped move. Both of my legs were dangling out in the air, and my arms were getting sore from holding on, and I felt my fingers get all slimy, and when I looked up, I saw something red and sticky wrapping itself around my fingers like red ribbons, and sliding around the branch. I had been holding to the branch so tightly that the wood had pierced my skin. One of the things I hate more then running is the sight of blood. I looked away feeling my stomach about to give way, even though it was completely empty. I couldn’t move my fingers, I couldn’t even feel them. My arms were exhausting themselves as I hung on to here, and I wished that they would listen to my mind… and… let… go.
“Ouch,” I whispered as I held my left hand in the air. That really did hurt. I looked at it; it was soaked in blood and twigs. I felt nauseas. I looked away, as I put it back and… ouch that still hurt. I felt the twigs that were already in my hand bury themselves deeper into my skin. Jesus, was Caleb seriously worth all this pain? Of course he was, I answered myself. I’ve pretty much already gotten pass the part where I’ve completely lost my mind, and just accepted it.
I left my right hand up and it was just as bad as my left. I had to look away from that one as well. Taking in a deep breath, I put it back, and again that shock wave of pain soared right through me. You can take it Sabrina, you can take it, I had to remind myself, as I put one hand in front of the other, and began to descend down towards the roof. When I was at the tip of it, I began to breathe in and out, and started to swing my legs again, but making sure that they went higher then the first time, and when the time was right, both of my legs landed on the edge of the roof, and I let out a sigh of relief. I let go of the branch, as my feet were safely on the ground, but I swayed backwards, and almost fell right off the roof, but I pushed back nothing but air and tried to get myself back up steady, and I ended up crashing to the ground, face first.
I’m not going to live to see the age of sixteen.
I lifted my face off the ground, and rocks that were on top of the roof found a way into my mouth, and I spat them out. My hands were still killing me, and bleeding, and now my face was throbbing. I stood up, dizzy, and clumsily made me way towards the metal hatch that was on the floor in the center of the building. It was big enough so I could fit right through.
I kneeled down, and with my painful fingers, began to turn the knob, and pull on the door. It made an ear shattering noise, that made me grimaced afraid that the guard outside heard. Once I had it in my hand, I threw it back, and it made an even louder noise.
So much for keeping it quiet.
Shaking my head, I saw a metal ladder, and turning myself around so that my face was towards the ladder, I went down.
It was dark and gloomy as I kept going lower. Each time I looked down I would only see a small dot of light, but it looked so far away, and at the moment, my only source of light was the moon, but as I went lower and lower the moon began to fade away, and it didn’t take long for the darkness to swallow me whole. I stopped as it was pitch black, and I tried to breathe. It smelled like trash in here. My head was throbbing, and I don’t know if it was because of all I’ve been through or because of the smell that this place was giving away.
Shaken, I tried to go back down, but each time I did, it felt like the small tube-like place I was in was slowly coming closer into me, and my heart began to bang loudly. I’m not claustrophobic but I might as well be. It was all moist and damp in here, and there was garbage sticking out everywhere, what kind of place is this?
Quickly, but carefully, I began to descend wanting nothing more then to get out of here. The ladder itself was made out of rusty metals, and I doubt that it would make it very far in the years to come. The light at the bottom was growing, and so was my hope. I wanted to get out of here, get to the Commander, grab the chip, poke around with it, and leave. It was suppose to be that easy, I wasn’t suppose to be sneaking around so much like I am now.
When I grabbed another part of the ladder, I felt it get lose, and before I knew it, it broke off and I went tumbling down. I couldn’t help but screaming as I fell in the small space. I kept hitting the walls or the ladder, and each time I grabbed for the ladder I always missed. My back and the back of my head hit the walls, my arms and legs kept hitting the ladder, and by the time I reached the bottom with a crash, I was so sore and numb that I didn’t want to get up.
My nose was bleeding, and I had cut my lip. I was dirty from top to bottom. I looked down at the clothes I was wearing, and knew that I couldn’t go anywhere like this.
It took me a moment just to sit there and get my sore muscles to relax. Looking down at myself I realized that this was what it was going to be like when I’m in a mission. This was my future.
I had to wash up where I fell because blood and dirt was all over the place, and I added skin-repair that I found in the shelves to cover my coats and bruises. My pained muscles, and headache on the other hand, I couldn’t do a thing about it. Walking around the top floor, I saw a stair case leading down. I walked over and saw hundreds and hundreds of hovercars. Where I had landed it seemed that that was where they kept all the repairing equipment. Slowly, trying not to make the white squeaky shoes I borrowed from making a sound descended the metal stairs. I wonder if this was what the other larger building on the island looked like.
Swallowing, I looked around to find a way out. There was no chance in hell I was going to carry this out. They had to have a launch ramp somewhere. I began to scout around. All the hovercars were the same. White, with a number above, and al the numbers were different. I believe these were the newer models of the hovercars, or at least I hope so.
I began to feel the back wall for some sort of door that could lead me away from here. It was, I believe, the only thing in this building that was black. I was feeling nothing but solid walls, and I kept smacking it knowing that if there was a panel then… bingo.
There was a small sound and looking I saw that only a few inches away, the wall broke open from the rest. I smiled to myself. I buried my fingers into the crack, and pulled it back. It led to another room, one with peach colored walls, and a few hovercars there. And on the opposite wall, I saw a ramp, and the night sky. I smiled pleased with my accomplishment. I began to walk forward looking for the closes hovercar. This room was like the last room, but it was smaller and it had peach colored walls. I looked out by the metal ramp as I saw where it led. Just above the woods, into the night sky. Any person that could fly a hovercar could do it; any nit-wit who had only flown once would have a greater chance of getting caught.
Ah, well, might as well risk getting caught then not trying at all. Or some sort of motto like that.
I didn’t want to spend too long being picky on which hovercar I would fly. I looked at the walls, and said, “Time,” And a digital clock appeared, which told me that now I only had four hours to get to England and back. I quickly ran towards a hovercar, and lifted the door. It looked like any other hovercar. It had leather seats, two in the front, and one larger seat in the back. In front there were different buttons to operate it, and a small screen right between the driver and passenger seat to call someone or to get directions, but most of the time no one uses it for directions because they usually just type in the address, and put it on auto drive because these days most people weren’t good at driving manually.
I slid into the driver seat, and pulled the door down shut. Biting my bottom lip, I started up the hovercar, and at once beneath my feet I felt the engine start up and the large fans underneath begin to spin, and I breathed calmly though I felt my heart beat ten times harder. I held on to the wheel, and gripping as tightly as possible and holding it nearer to the bottom I pulled it forward, and at once I felt the hovercar come up, and I froze when it moved. I froze so badly that it fell right back to the ground, and I swear I think my heart just stopped. I was shaking, and my hands were sore but no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get myself to let go because it felt like this wheel was my life support that kept my head above the water.
Perspiration was coming down my forehead and my hands, and I tried it again because if I didn’t try it now I knew I would never try it. I pulled the wheel again, and held my breath as it came above the ground. I couldn’t stop smiling at my achievement, now that I was off the ground; all I had to do was head out the opening.
I began to turn the wheel, and on the middle, I noticed the initials G10 on it. I pressed my thumb on it, and just stared at it. I felt like now I was this hovercar, labeled for life with G10 all over me. I would always have a scar inside of me that burned with those three digits. I inhaled, and it felt like I was inhaling fire, and with my eyes closed I began to turn the wheel fully and as light as a feather the hovercar turned, I could hardly believe how easily it was to move this. I put the pedal down, and at once I was in the air, flying like I’ve never flown before. My eyes widen as I drifted into the sky, and got closer to the stars, and for a moment I almost considered about jumping out and believing I had wings to fly out of here.
I blinked back tears as I was seeing the night sky for almost the first time. The stars danced in my eyes, and the air lingered into the hovercar and I could smell the ocean. Looking down, I could see a beautiful black glass and I smiled. My heart was jumping out of control, as I flew to England, with a true smile for the first time in eleven months.
I kept starring out the window trying to find the hotel. It shouldn’t be that hard. The Ticonderoga Hotel was said to be the biggest hotel in the world. As I felt my hovercar get lower into the street as the hovercar followed the magnetic energy of the radiator lights as I got closer to the ground. I bit my bottom lip as I tried to not go over the air-limit, and I made a fist as I looked above. People were walking the streets, children were riding hoverboards, honestly England was no different then where I came from.
Yes, I smiled to myself as I saw the bright yellow colored were that read Ticonderoga Hotel. I began to turn the steering wheel, deciding not to stop in a public parking, because then it would be automatically registered and sent straight to The Law, and then Michael would see it, one way or another I would get caught. I hide behind an ally across the street from the hotel, and hurried out and across the street.
The Ticonderoga hotel was one of the most prestige hotels around the world. It’s much older then G10, but it still kept on tip top shape and looked good as new. Unless you made millions of dollars there is no way you could even afford to go through the front door. But, I made my way through the front door, without being noticed at all. The lobby was white, and on the bottom was a beautiful digital art work of a T and when you stepped on the design it changed styles. Everything was all white, and the head-desk was at the very beginning on the top of stair cases. Business people were coming in and out. Talking in their communicators, or with someone they’re with.
I felt like I was a white lily in a daisy flower field, where everyone looked like everyone else, and I was the only one who didn’t look like she belonged.
Shaking my head, I walked up the stairs, making an echo sound, as I approach the desk. A man had different holoscreens around him, and he was typing in different keyboards, and swinging his chair all around. It seemed like this was something he did everyday, he did it so easily that I was amazed that he could do something like that. I coughed to get his attention, until I noticed he was talking. When I looked down, I saw his communicator on a stand, and in his ear he was talking to whomever.
With a sigh, I hated to do this – I really did – but I needed the Commanders room number – I reached down, and clicking on the screen where it was the end button I stopped the call making him turn around to look and see what happened. I smiled waving at him innocently.
“Excuse me, but I need a room number,” I said casually. Just then a group of reporters swarm like bees looking for honey, they all headed out towards the left wing, and I realized the Commander must be about ready to give his speech. This was so good. As long as he was out of the room then I could sneak in. Screens appeared on both sides of the wings, where the Commander was sitting with Jennifer, and he wasn’t giving his speech yet, but he was getting ready. I smiled. “I need the room number for Michael Hartley.”
He laughed.
“Nice try kid, but we don’t give out private information like that.” He said picking up his communicator to call his girlfriend again.
“Look, I’m here to bring him something…” But he didn’t let me finish.
“Yeah, you and every other person who wants to meet him. Stop wasting my time kid.” He said waving me away. He was already talking, and already forgot I was around.
Grumbling I backed away, knowing I had to get that guy away from his desk. Looking around, I saw a banner, and a wicked smile played across my lips. I snuck away from site, and hiding in one of the hallways, I reached into the pocket of the lab coat I wore, and taking the pen, I reached up, and began to break the rope that was right in front of me. They should really consider putting this up higher. At once it was flying down, and people below were running away as it came towards them. I hid in the dark right away, and the guy behind the desk, who saw everything, hurried away, and I hurried forward.
I went straight to the log in screen, and quickly typed the Commanders name. It popped up as a private room on the top floors. I peeked up behind the desk, and saw that the guy was already calling for the Cleaning Crew. I quickly requested a copy-card and as it popped out the idiot was coming forward. I snuck out, and headed straight to the elevator.
“Floor request,” It said as the doors shut.
I looked at the copy-card and said, “Floor 105.” I said, and smiled peacefully as I raised high. I looked behind me as I saw the outside world grow farther and farther away. This place would be my new home soon. I shook my head, as I reached the floor.
I ran out into the hallway, and quickly towards the room. I slid the card in the card hole and the door popped open. I stepped inside, and nodded approvingly. The walls were painted crimson red, and gold colored furniture, and there were three rooms. One room was the master room, and the other room was a guest room – where Jennifer slept I bet – and the third room was a bathroom. I stopped in the middle, looking at the fire place, with a painting of the first Michael Hartley who had created G10.
I hurried into the master bedroom, and before I started throwing things down, I decided to go slowly. I began to search the drawers, making sure not to ruin the way the clothes were folded. I went into the closet and checked all his jacket pockets. I went into his case and looked through his files. No chip. I put my hands on my hips looking around at the room. I knew he wouldn’t put it in his bed… but… I raised my eyebrows wondering if this guy was old fashion.
Before I knew it, I was on my hands and knees and looked under the bed. Right underneath was a single box. I reached out with my hands, and brought the box out from underneath. It wasn’t bigger then a communicator, and on the top there was a golden flower design. The book was made out of wood, and it looked delicate, and because of that I opened it as slowly as possible, and with my great discovery I picked up the chip.
I stood up, and headed straight for the wall. I plugged it in, and a screen popped up. An endless list of names appeared, and I knew I hit the jack-pot. I went scrolling for Caleb’s name, but before I could find it, I heard sounds coming from the other side of the wall. Shit. The press-conference couldn’t have ended so soon. Without thinking, I took out the chip, and was about to head the same way I came in, the voices got louder and I knew I couldn’t go out that way. Quickly I stuffed the chip in my pocket – it was like someone told me a secret, and I took that secret, but it in a locket, and with this secret, I was taking this one to the grave.
I went towards the window, and looking down, I saw no fire-escape, and as the doors were about to open, I jumped.
I landed in a dumpster, and Christ did it stink. A banana peel was on my head, and garbage was all over me. God, the things I do. All of this for Caleb, and I haven’t even had time to peek at it. Now, I’m in a dumpster, after all I went through at camp. I just don’t get a break.
“Enjoying the view?” I opened my eyes and starring down at me, surrounded my dancing stars, with shining eyes and a bright smile was David.